Alternator woes!!

[ian65]

Woe is me!
Looks like my alternator is knackered.
I've noticed the car spins over sluggishly the last 2 days when starting and looking at the volt meter, it looks low to me...

this is running but with no load...



this is running but with the window switch pressed...



it's now gone flat so looks like a charging problem.... the battery is usually as sound as.... I'm not getting any warning lights though and the fanbelt is sound.
Usually if the rectifier goes, the charge light comes on?

I seem to remember this volt meter used to read about 14v with the engine running, no load.... what's everyone else getting???

[Steve-A]

I'm getting 14v while running with no load, and tbh pretty close to 14v when operating windows and stuff.

[ian65]

cheers, Steve, 14v seems about right...
found one.... £30 ish delivered...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mazda-RX-7-RX7-FC ... 27b75a348b

[codge]

Yep, usually around 14V from memory. A little dip when windows operated but very slight.

Worth checking all system earths and main -ve terminals?

[ian65]

Yep, usually around 14V from memory. A little dip when windows operated but very slight.

Worth checking all system earths and main -ve terminals?

it's fixed.... all thanks to Dave, the wise old owl, for reminding me not to overlook the obvious!

After taking Daves advice I found this connection was loose and with the multimeter on the battery and the engine on fast tickover, I was getting just under 12v across the terminals...




I tightened it up and then got 13.01v across the terminals but noticed that the connection was very black and dirty....

Took it apart again and cleaned it up...



Now getting 13.50v across the terminals and a health looking voltmeter on the dash...





panic over!

[codge]

It's always the obvious things.

I was logging on today after a night tossing and turning like Meldrew....'Pastry, Pastry' he would say in his sleep.
But I had thought in the night that a 2V drop equals a dud cell..... Not that then but yipee it's fixicated....

[myatt1972]

Cant believe you were thinking of buying one Ian, I must have two or three knocking about.
Cant beat a cheap fix though, never underestimate the daddy of the 1st gens

[ian65]

Cant believe you were thinking of buying one Ian, I must have two or three knocking about.
Cant beat a cheap fix though, never underestimate the daddy of the 1st gens

it did cross my mind to call you but I reckoned you're stressed enough!!!

[spoddy]

it feels good when its an easy fix without the need to buy and install new parts.
my scan gauge II reads 14.1-14.3 with engine running and its the same operating
the electric windows on an rx8 a bit of a dip but then back to normal.

the wires before you cleaned them didn't look great, my mechanic switched the positive
head connector to the battery and it really helped, as the electric steering got heavy
but it turned out to be the U joint into the rack, some WD40 and spray grease later and its
turning like normal.

so a £1:40 fix as apposed to a new rack oem at £1800

it feels good when its a cheap fix doesn't it lol.

[chc]

Excuse my late intervention guys - yes I'm back, just got the new laptop on line.
JAZ runs @ 14v even when operating the windows too.
Ian - you must have shaken the bones on yours with all of its' recent use so very good to hear it was a simple & cheap fix.
Cliff